Thanksgiving 2011 Menu Plan

I like to share my holiday menu plan for two reasons. One, it might help others who are making their holiday menu. And two, I love looking back at previous holidays to see what we've served. Once again this year, I'll be sharing cooking duties with my mother-in-law.

Roast Turkey
Mashed Potatoes/Cauliflower*
Gravy
Dressing (or stuffing, as I like to call it, even though it won't be stuffed in the bird)*
Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad
Fresh Green Salad with Walnuts & Cranberries*
Rolls
Sweet Potato Pie*

* Dishes that I'll be preparing

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

We were on family vacation last and had a great time! But back to "normal" life and menu planning. Some of our main proteins may change, depending on what I find at the store.


Monday - grilled chicken, brown rice, steamed veggies

Tuesday - turkey burgers with lettuce, onion, pickle, tomatoes on wheat bread, side salad

Wednesday - grilled steak with grilled onions & green peppers, bulgur

Thursday - make-your-own pizza on grilled flatbreads, side salad

Friday - grilled chicken, whole wheat spaghetti with marinara sauce, sauteed veggies

Saturday - attending a carry-in dinner

Sunday - large salad with leftover grilled meat


Don't forget to follow the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge on my main blog, Not a DIY Life.

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

I'm a little behind on menu planning due to the holiday.


Monday - grilled steak, orzo salad, fruit salad (nice, easy cookout food!)

Tuesday - grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta, grilled veggies

Wednesday - oat pancakes (made on the griddle plate of my George Foreman grill), veggie/egg scrambles

Thursday - chicken paninis or wraps (depending on when I can get to the store), side salad

Friday - grilled turkey burgers, served on bed of lettuce with cooked bulgur

Saturday - church cookout (I'll take a healthy veggie or fruit side dish to share)


Don't forget to check out my progress in the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge!

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

It's week 7! I didn't do a thorough menu plan last week, since I was out of town for a few days. But Hubs and Ladybug enjoyed using the grill in my absence. Here's this week's plan:

Monday: grilled chicken, tomato/zucchini salad tossed with olive oil & vinegar, bulgur
Tuesday: grilled pork loin, grilled sweet potatoes, side salad
Wednesday: grilled turkey burgers on a bed of spinach w/ tomato, onion & dill pickle slices, polenta
Thursday: Brinner: veggie/cheese egg scrambles, whole wheat biscuits with 100% fruit spread
Friday: make your own pizzas on grilled flatbreads, side salad
Saturday: grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta tossed w/ olive oil & Parmesan cheese, steamed veggies
Sunday: grilled salmon patties on a bed of spinach, steamed veggies, quinoa

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

It's week 6 for the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge.  Breakfasts will remain the same, lunches will be leftovers or large salads with grilled protein.

Sunday - FIFI (Find It, Fix It aka leftovers)
Monday - grilled turkey burgers, sweet potato fries, salad
Tuesday - grilled pork chops, bulgur, grilled or sauteed veggies, grilled apples
Wednesday - grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta, steamed veggies
Thursday - grilled paninis, salad
Friday - grilled salmon patties, quinoa, steamed veggies
Saturday - Brinner: veggie egg scrambles, biscuits
Sunday - FIFI

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan Week 5

We're heading into Week 5 of the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. It's been so hot here - it's great to be able to use the grill and not heat up my kitchen!

Monday - grilled turkey tenderloin, whole wheat pasta, sauteed veggies
Tuesday - Brinner: veggie/egg scrambles, biscuits
Wednesday - Brown bag dinner: grilled turkey salad
Thursday - grilled steak tips, grilled veggies, polenta
Friday - grilled turkey burgers, carrot sticks, cucumber slices
Saturday - grilled chicken breasts, grilled veggies, whole grain rice
Sunday - grilled pork chops, grilled corn on the cob, side salad

Don't forget to check out my main blog for continued updates on the Knock Out the Fat Challenge!

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

This is my dinner menu plan for the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge for week 4. My breakfasts and lunches will be similar to what I posted last week. Same rotation of breakfast choices, and either leftovers or salad for lunch.

Monday - grilled turkey burgers, grilled zucchini, whole wheat pasta with other assorted veggies
Tuesday - grilled chicken breasts, bulgar, tomato/cucumber salad
Wednesday - Brown Bag dinner (leftovers, plus a side salad)
Thursday - grilled tuna patties, whole grain rice, grilled veggies
Friday - grilled steak tips, grilled corn, grilled veggies
Saturday - Brinner: veggie egg scrambles, biscuits
Sunday - grilled steak salad with grilled toast

Check out my week 3 update for the Knock Out the Fat Challenge over on my main blog. 

Knock Out the Fat Menu Plan

This is week 3 of the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. If you follow my main blog, I've mentioned the challenge over there. But that is why I haven't posted a new menu plan here recently.  As part of the challenge, I've received a custom menu plan from Alsya (@inspiredrd) for the first two weeks. Now, as week 3 begins, it's my job to plan my own menu based on what I'm learning from her.

One of the requirements of the challenge is to utilize my new George Foreman grill at least five times a week.  It has 2 interchangeable plates, including a grill plate and a bake plate. I can make pancakes on the bake plate, and that's one thing I'll be trying this week.

Here's my plan for this week:

Breakfast: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 T PB, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 egg

Snack: 2 T dried fruit, 12 almonds

Lunch: 2 slices whole wheat bread, 1 T hummus, 2 oz tuna, dill pickles, lettuce, 1 c. raw veggies on the side, 1 small apple

Snack: 6 oz Greek yogurt, ¾ cup blueberries, 1 T sliced almonds

Dinner: 3 oz grilled nitrate-free chicken sausage, ½ cup grilled veggies, side salad, 2/3 cup cooked bulgar, 1.5 tsp butter

Snack: 1 cup celery sticks, 1 ½ tsp PB

Breakfast:  6 oz Greek yogurt, 1 cup strawberries, 1/3 cup homemade granola

Snack: 1 peach, 6 cashews

Lunch:  Salad: salad greens, 1 cup chopped veggies, 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 oz cheese, ¼ cup salsa, 1 slice whole wheat bread w/ 1.5 tsp butter

Snack: 6 oz Greek yogurt, 1.5 tsp PB, 1 small banana

Dinner: 3 oz grilled steak, 1 cup grilled veggies, 2/3 cup brown rice w/ 1.5 tsp butter

Snack:  1 cup carrot sticks, 1 T hummus

Breakfast: 2 slices whole wheat toast w/ 1.5 tsp butter, 1 egg, 1 small banana

Snack: 2 T raisins, 20 peanuts

Lunch: Large salad w/ 2 oz leftover steak w/ extra veggies, ¼ cup salsa, ½ cup corn, olive oil/lemon juice for dressing

Snack: 6 oz Greek yogurt, ¾ cup blueberries, 1 T sliced almonds

Dinner: 3 oz grilled chicken, 2/3 cup whole wheat pasta, 1 cup grilled veggies, 1 oz feta cheese

Snack:  1 cup sliced cucumber, 16 pistachios

Breakfast: oatmeal pancake w/ 1 .5 tsp PB, 1 cup strawberries

Snack:  1 small banana, 1 T PB

Lunch: 2 slices whole wheat bread, 1 T hummus, 2 oz leftover chicken, lettuce, pickle, tomato, 1 peach

Snack: 6 oz Greek yogurt, 1 small apple chopped, 1.5 tsp PB

Dinner: grilled salmon patties (2 meat, 1 starch exchange), 1 oz low fat Colby, 1/3 cup quinoa, 1 cup sautéed veggies w/ 1.5 tsp olive oil

Snack: 1 cup carrot sticks, 1 T hummus

Breakfast: repeat Breakfast #1

Snack: 2 T dried fruit, 12 almonds

Lunch: open-face salmon patty sandwich, 1 T hummus, side salad, 1 cup strawberries

Snack: 6 oz Greek yogurt, 1 peach, 1 T sliced almonds

Dinner: Steak/Veggie kabobs (if I can find skewers!), 2/3 cup bulgar, 1.5 tsp butter

Snack: 1 cup celery sticks, 1.5 tsp PB

Breakfast: repeat Breakfast #2

Snack: 17 grapes, 32 pistachios

Lunch: grilled tuna melt – 2 slices whole wheat bread, 2 oz tuna mixed w/ 1 T. hummus, 1 oz low fat Colby, spinach, 1 cup carrot sticks, 1 small apple

Snack: ½ cup fruit salad, 1 T sunflower seeds

Dinner: 2 oat pancakes w/ 1.5 tsp PB, 2 eggs scrambled with 1 cup chopped veggies & 1 oz cheese

Snack: 1 cup sliced cucumber, 1 T hummus

Breakfast: repeat Breakfast #3

Snack: 1 cup cubed cantaloupe, 32 pistachios

Lunch: Large spinach salad w/ 1 hard-boiled egg, 1 cup strawberries, 1 oz shaved parmesan cheese, chopped onion, olive oil/lemon juice for dressing, 4 crispbread crackers

Snack: 3 dates,  1 T pine nuts

Dinner: Tacos – 2 whole wheat tortillas, 3 oz seasoned ground turkey, 1 oz low fat cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes & onions, salsa. Small side salad

Snack: 1 cup broccoli, 1 T hummus

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. 

Menu Plan 4/24

My garden will have a good amount of lettuce & spinach to harvest this week. My other veggies are coming along nicely, and the local farmer's market opens soon - can't wait!


Sunday - Easter dinner was pork BBQ sandwiches, broccoli salad, cole slaw & strawberry pie for dessert

Monday - stir fry with leftover pork, lots of veggies, brown rice

Tuesday - Brinner - oat pancakes & veggie/egg scrambles

Wednesday - dinner at church

Thursday - baked chicken with pasta & veggies

Friday - dinner with friends

Saturday - grilled steak salads with grilled toast

Menu Plan 4/17

A busy week leading up to Easter....

Sunday - FIFI (Find It, Fix It)

Monday - steak salads

Tuesday - pumpkin waffles, eggs to order, fruit salad

Wednesday - baked chicken & rice, roasted veggies

Thursday - salmon patties, barley, steamed veggies

Friday - steak fajitas

Saturday - veggie soup, bruschetta

Menu Plan 4/10

My garden is producing enough lettuce for fresh salad greens every day! Since our daughter doesn't like salads, I'll still have a steamed veggie with most meals.


Sunday - FIFI (Find It, Fix It) aka leftovers

Monday - Italian chicken, garden salad, brown rice

Tuesday -egg/bacon/veggie burritos, fruit salad

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday - grilled steak salads with grilled Texas toast

Friday - Dill & Lemon salmon fillets, pasta, garden salad

Saturday - Asian Chicken and Slaw with orzo pasta on the side

Menu Plan 4/3

Sunday - open face hamburgers, grilled onions, steamed veggies

Monday - spaghetti and meatballs, steamed veggies, salad

Tuesday - Crustless Cheese Quiche, Anytime Bran Muffins, fruit salad

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday - Vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches

Friday - grilled chicken wraps, salad

Saturday - steak stir fry with lots of veggies, served over brown rice

Menu Plan 3/20

Sunday - hamburgers, sauteed onions, collards & cabbage

Monday - chicken, pasta, steamed veggies

Tuesday - Brinner! veggie egg scrambles, skillet hash browns

Wednesday - grilled chicken salad

Thursday - Heather's meatloaf, baked potatoes, steamed veggies

Friday - Healthier Chicken Parmesan, steamed veggies

Saturday - baked salmon, quinoa, steamed veggies

Menu Plan 3/13

Sunday - Find It, Fix It (aka leftovers)

Monday - baked chicken and potatoes, steamed cabbage

Tuesday - Brinner: Raisin Bread French Toast, eggs, bacon, cooked apples

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday - steak fajitas on homemade tortillas with lots of veggies

Friday - Hubby & I have a date night - woot!

Saturday - ground turkey soft tacos on leftover tortillas, plenty of veggie toppings

Menu Plan 3/6

Sunday - homemade pizzas on flour tortillas, salad - Oops, didn't have any pizza sauce so we make steak fajitas instead

Monday - grilled steak salads

Tuesday - brinner: veggie/egg scrambles, whole wheat toast

Wednesday - (no kids program at church due to Ash Wednesday) homemade mac n cheese, steamed veggies

Thursday  - oven roasted chicken & potatoes, steamed veggies

Friday - Italian burgers, apple & carrot salad

Saturday - broccoli cheddar soup, grilled bruschetta

Menu Plan 2/27

Wow, a whole week of uninterrupted menus!


Sunday - freezer night, plus a salad

Monday - grilled steak, whole grain rice, sauteed veggies

Tuesday - Salmon Cheese casserole, barley, steamed veggies

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday -Italian style chicken breasts, steamed veggies, pasta

Friday - foil packet ocean perch with veggies, baked potatoes

Saturday - grilled steak salads

Menu Plan 2/20

Sunday - FIFI (Find It, Fix It), there are plenty of leftovers

Monday - chicken stir fry served with brown rice

Tuesday - Breakfast for dinner - Cheese & Veggie Scramble, whole wheat toast, fresh fruit

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group, I'm making Savory Slow Cooker Chicken for the main dish

Thursday - Saturday - I"ll be attending the NC Mom Blogging Conference at Ocean Isle Inn

Menu Plan 2/13

I didn't realize what a crazy week this is going to be until I sat down to menu plan ...


Sunday - going to a friend's for dinner

Monday - Savory Slow Cooker Chicken, barley, side salad

Tuesday - Three-Grain Flapjacks topped with cooked apples, sausage

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group, I'm taking Hot Fruit Salad & Crockpot Granola to share as dessert

Thursday - grilled chicken salads

Friday - I'm running an evening 5k, so I'll have a green smoothie as my pre-race meal.  Family will be eating with the in-laws.

Saturday - pork & veggie stir fry, whole grain rice

Menu Plan 1/16

Lots of extra activities this week!

Sunday - dinner at the in-laws

Monday - open-face hamburgers, steamed veggies

Tuesday - Brinner!

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday - pasta & veggies for the girl-child, Hubby & I will eat at a wedding rehearsal dinner

Friday - wedding & wedding reception food

Saturday - veggie lasagna, salad

Menu Plan 1/9

Sunday - FIFI (Find It, Fix It)

Monday - chicken and veggie stir fry, brown rice

Tuesday - pasta, steamed veggies

Wednesday - dinner at church/small group

Thursday - Brinner! (Why is breakfast for dinner so exciting?)

Friday - soup and salad

Saturday - baked chicken, quinoa pilaf, steamed veggies